Global Shares won the ‘FinTech Company of the Year Award’ at the prestigious Deloitte Fast 50 Awards, now in their 18th year, which rank Ireland’s fastest growing technology companies and are recognized as a barometer of a company’s success, providing it with a hugely valued, respected and marketable, public badge of honour.

Deloitte partnered with Silicon Valley Bank in the new ‘FinTech Award’ Category to recognise and showcase companies who are influencing this space with their technology and innovation.

Clive Lennox, Director of Irish Business Development at SVB Financial Group, said: “Congratulations to Global Shares – we’ve been impressed with your team and technology and we look forward to hosting you in Silicon Valley”.

The Award success will not only raise the profile of Global Shares but also help the company to scale and evolve by providing support from both Deloitte and Silicon Valley Bank globally.

Prize-winning trip to Silicon Valley:

Part of the prize includes a trip for Global Shares to Silicon Valley, tailored to suit the growth trajectory of the company to meet with key strategic partners and prospects and to network within the wider Silicon Valley community.

An exciting 5-day itinerary awaits filled with high profile meetings, events & presentations. The trip also includes some touristic highlights including a San Francisco Giants Baseball Game & the unique Alcatraz by Night sightseeing tour.

Global Shares will be represented in Silcon Valley by CEO Tim Houstoun, who will fly to the West Coast from its Headquarters in West Cork, Ireland, joined by VP & GM Global Shares US Hugh Curran, from the company’s New Jersey office.

Tim Houstoun, CEO of Global Shares, commented:

“I am very proud to represent Global shares on this superb trip to Silicon Valley and to exploring the many opportunities arising from it. Winning the Deloitte FinTech Award is a tremendous endorsement of what we have achieved in recent years. Global Shares is the leading global provider of equity compensation management solutions, working with companies and their employees in over 100 countries worldwide. Our technology is supported by great people delivering excellent service in the highly specialised global stock plan administration arena. We offer clients the most modern equity plan management software in the world as well as an exceptional online experience, unrivalled functionality and a fully customisable solution. Over a decade of stellar growth we have become a frontrunner in our industry, helping private and public companies of all sizes to manage their employee equity plans. Our software can be tailored for virtually every type of stock plan (Options, ESPP, Restricted Stock, Performance Stock) in any industry, country, language or currency in the world, and its efficiencies drive very competitive pricing. Our platform is developed and managed 100% in-house giving us tremendous control and speed to react to change. Additionally we have become FINRA/SEC and MiFID regulated, meaning we can now offer clients a complete one-stop integrated brokerage solution. We are at a key point in our growth cycle and have undertaken significant restructuring & recruitment in recent months to meet the changing needs of our business. We are very excited to be travelling to Silcon Valley for this prize-winning trip in association with Deloitte and Silicon Valley Bank”.

About Global Shares

Global Shares is a leading global provider of equity compensation management software solutions, providing Share Plan Administration, Global custody, Share-dealing and Financial Reporting Services to companies and their employees in over 100 countries worldwide.Over the past decade, Global Shares has become a major player in the global share plan management arena. We develop highly specialised cloud-based software solutions forprivate, pre-IPO and public companies of all sizes to manage their employee equity plans. Our technology platform is developed and managed 100% in-house, whilst our highly skilled team of equity professionals deliver the highest levels of servicewith a personal touch.Our client listing includes some of the largest and best-known companies in the world who use equity compensation to attract and retain a top class employee base. Established over 10 years ago, we have offices in the US, Ireland (HQ), the UK, Germany, Portugal and Hong Kong. Our Software has set a new benchmark for the global share plan administration industry. www.globalshares.com

About Deloitte

At Deloitte, we make an impact that matters for our clients, our people, our profession, and in the wider society by delivering the solutions and insights they need to address their most complex business challenges.As the largest global professional services and consulting network, with approximately 263,900 professionals in more than 150 countries, we bring world-class capabilities and high-quality services to our clients.In Ireland, Deloitte has nearly 3,000 people providing audit, tax, consulting, and corporate finance services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Our people have the leadership capabilities, experience and insight to collaborate with clients so they can move forward with confidence. www2.deloitte.com/ie

Details of the Technology Fast 50 ranking list and entry criteria for the 2018 Awards can be found at: www.fast50.ie

About Silicon Valley Bank

Silicon Valley Bank helps innovative companies and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. We provide a full range of financial services to companies of all sizes in innovation centers around the world. Forbes named SVB one of America’s best banks (2015) and one of America’s best-managed companies (2014).Silicon Valley Bank is a member of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve System. Silicon Valley Bank is the California bank subsidiary of SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVB). www.svb.com